Drafting the Plan

Findings from the studies on the archipelago and extensive fieldwork carried out on-site by the GEF Socotra Project, indicated a number of areas that remain of special value to biodiversity and natural resource conservation, as well as ecotourism. Preliminary scientific results of the surveys were jointly reviewed at a Zoning Plan technical workshop held at the UNDP in Sana'a on July 17-19, 1999. Over 40 participants attended, including:

• Representatives of the local communities in Socotra
• The local Project team
• Representatives of relevant ministries
• Key national and international scientists involved in the surveys
• An EU representative
• National tour operators working in Socotra
• The Project's international eco-tourism expert

Prior to the workshop, the Socotri Project team developed a draft Zoning proposal with associated activity/management guidelines for each zone. During the workshop, the GEF team with the assistance of scientific consultants, and with the input of all workshop participants, developed a first draft Zoning Plan.

Consultation with Local Community Leaders

The first draft of the Zoning Plan was used as a basis for extensive consultation with local community leaders throughout the islands of Socotra. A total of fourteen large meetings, which involved approximately 500 local sheiks, muqaddams, and local government representatives, were held throughout the islands. The consultation process covered all areas of the archipelago. During these meetings, the GEF Socotri team explained the Zoning Plan proposal to the community and submitted the Plan for the review of community leaders.

Results of the Consultation Process

Because of the high level of prior local community involvement in the development of the plan, the immediate results and feedback received in the meetings were very encouraging -- the draft Zoning Plan proposed by the Project team obtained strong support from all community leaders. The Project team made minor adjustments to the draft to reflect all the views and recommendations of the local community. Most changes directed the Plan towards a more conservative approach. With respect to the team proposal, the communities requested new strictly protected areas and less infrastructure development areas. This reflects well the communities' high level of environmental awareness. Most Socotri communities generally assign high priority to the long-term conservation of their natural habitat, versus unplanned infrastructure development.